by Sudhir Ahluwalia | Mar 31, 2017 | Natural Remedies
With the growing trend towards “organic” products, and “coming back to nature” worldwide, the rising interest in herbs and herbal remedies, in culinary use, heath products, medicine, cosmetics, and religious rituals is not surprising. A wide audience, including...
by Sudhir Ahluwalia | Jan 2, 2017 | Resins and Cosmetics
Henna is used to dye cotton, silk, and other natural fibers, as well as leather and leather products. The dye is temporary. In India, henna is used for body art during festivals and celebrations including extensive use in bridal makeup in southern Asia and the Middle...
by Sudhir Ahluwalia | Oct 7, 2016 | Resins and Cosmetics
Feature photo: Spikenard– www.drewmonkman.com Efforts to artificially propagate the species have shown mixed results, because it is not economically attractive for collectors to switch from wild to commercial cultivation. Some estimates indicate that the...
by Sudhir Ahluwalia | Sep 16, 2016 | Resins and Cosmetics
Featured photo: Galbanum gum (www.jmg-co.com) Galbanum is mentioned in the medicinal works of Hippocrates and Pliny the Elder. Galbanum was one of at least 36 ingredients used by Mithridates (c. 132–163 BC) as medicine. Mithridates VI was a Roman who ruled over...
by Sudhir Ahluwalia | Aug 15, 2016 | Resins and Cosmetics
Photo: Boswellia sacra by Scott Zona The B. sacra (Omani luban) tree is native to Yemen, Oman, and Somalia. It yields the best and most prized frankincense gum. The tree rarely grows taller than 20 feet. It bears whitish yellow flowers. Phytochemical analysis of the...
